NickSMU17 wrote:I personally think UA is ready to go and try and battle Nike....lets get on their side early...
They are far more innovative than our current sponsor.
Nick, trust me when I say UA isn't close to competing w/Nike or Adidas in hoops, not close. First and foremost, no grassroots infrastructure. Very few sponsored teams, and a tiny sphere of influence. Pretty much every hoops school w/UA wants out, believe me. Second, the shoes are freakin awful, and this is from a guy who rocks the prototypes months and months before they go retail.
What UA does have going for them is innovative uniforms, particularly personalizing & incorporating elements of each school into their looks. For example, they developed the turtle shell pattern, to accent the Terps uni's etc. Very cool and low-key, but certainly doesn't offset the drawbacks.
UA doesn't have near the capital to go head to head w/Nike or Adidas, which is why they are scared of AAU. Nike/Adidas will protect their turf, and snuff out anyone who tries to rise up. Beyond that, Nike & Adidas are international brands that own the two biggest global sports, hoops and soccer. UA was founded on football and elite performance training, which isn't culture, just an american game. UA investors are already growing weary of Plank pushing into footwear. Their proprietary cushioning and support system sucks, and they are bleeding in retail.
Adidas is a fantastic hoops sponsor. We just need them to prioritize us.
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 12:39 pm